AGL Resources, Southern Co. file merger approval request to Maryland authorities

Southern Co. and AGL Resources announced on Tuesday that they have filed for regulatory approval of their proposed merger to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC).

If the merger is approved, both companies state that it would create the second-largest utility company operating in the U.S. based on its anticipated customer base. The combined company would have a generation capacity of approximately 46,000 megawatts of electricity, approximately 80,000 miles of natural gas pipelines and 200,000 miles of electrical transmission and distribution lines.

The announcement states that the combined form of both companies would serve approximately nine million customers. The merger is anticipated to be completed in the latter half of 2016 if regulatory approval is granted.

Southern Co. operates within the southeastern region of the U.S. and serves approximately 4.5 million electricity customers. Generation plants consist of nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas and renewable power stations.

AGL Resources specializes in the distribution, retail and wholesale operations for natural gas and also serves approximately 4.5 million customers across seven states. AGL Resources is the owning company of Elkton Gas, which is a regulated natural gas provider in Md. The company serve approximately 6,000 people in the state.